Rocket firing control mechanism



June 10, 1947.

BER-BEIGE!!! IIIIII llllllllllfl) A. L. LAMBERT tr AL ROCKET FIRINGCONTROL MECHANISM Filed Nov. 2, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 SLOW FAsf SELECTIVE AUTOMATIC June 10, 1947. A. L. LAMBERT ET AL ROCKET FIRINGCONTROL MECHANISM Filed Nov. 2, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 HLBERT L. LHMBEI?W/7L TE fl. 077/?0 Jun 10, 1947. A. LAMBERT ET AL 2,421,893

ROCKET FIRING CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Nov. 2, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 June10,1947. A. L. LAMBERT AL 2,421,393

ROCKET FIRING CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Nov. 2, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 amin June 10, 1947. A. L. LAMBERT El" AL ROCKET FIRING CONTROL MECHANISM5 Sheets-Sneet 5 Filed Nov. 2, 1944 Patented June 10,v 19471 ares ROCKETFrame CONTROL MEonANIsM Albert L. Lambert, Narberth, and Walter H.

' DfArdenne', Jenkintown Manor, Pa., assig'nors to Heintz ManufacturingCompany, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation'of Pennsylvania v ApplicationNovember 2, 1944, Serial No. 561,614

11 Claims. (Cl. 89-1) Thisinvention relates to a firing controlmechanism and more particularly to a firing control mechanism forrockets fired from' a rocket launcher or the like. While the inventionmay have other uses it is especially adapted for rocket launchers whichare comprised of a plurality of launcher tubes or rails grouped togetherto comprise a battery.

For a number of considerations, including that of safety, it isfrequently desirable to control the firing of rockets from suchlaunchers from a -.distance. In accordance with the present in-'-.

vention this is accomplished in such manner that the gunner at all timesknows from a control dial exactly how many and which. rockets have beenfired. Moreover, in accordance with the .invention, the gunner may fireany individual rocket selectively or may put into operation mechanismwhich will fire any group or 'all of the rockets successively atpredetermined intervals. general object of the invention to which'willefiectjsuch aims.

Another object of the invention resides in, the provision of a simpledistance controlled firing mechanism for rocket launchers and the likeprovided with safety means which (when the device is manually fired)breaks the firing circuit after each rocket is fired, Such a mechanismprevents It is a provide a device the gunner from firing more; than onerocket should he inadvertently keep the trigger push button depressedwhile the control device is being adjusted for firing another rocket.

The invention has for a further object the provision in such a device ofa circuit breaking plug which should be removed from the device by theloader when he is engaged in loading rockets into the launcher. Attachedto this plug is a tag upon which the loader may make notations as to thetype of rocket he places in each particular tube or rail. The tubes orrails are numbered corresponding to the numbers on the tag and also thenumbers on the gunners control dial.

Still another object, of the invention resides in the provision in sucha device of a light indicating system which at all times will give to,the gunner visual indications of which rockets have been fired 1 Theseand other objects of the invention will become more apparent from thefollowing description and claims when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a device embodying one form of theinvention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is'a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 5.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 6.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 or Figure 3.

' jected.

, 2 Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 66ofFigure3.-

'Figure '7 is a diagram of the firing control circult, and a p 1 Figure8 is a diagram of the indicator circuit.

Referring now to Figures land 2, the reference numeral In indicates arectangular box-like casing which may be located at the gunners positionat some distance from the rocket launcher.

The casings!!! has a shelf H. Between the .shelf H and the upper end ofthe casing is a supporting plate l2 on' which control mechanism ismounted. The supporting plate I 2 has flanges l3 and I4 at its top andbottom ends respectively. The flange I4 is supported on the shelf II bysuitable cushioning means [5, 16. The upper flange l3 also carries twocushioning means I1 and Hi. The supporting plate l2 and the controlmechanism it carries is thus fioatingly mounted within the casing l0 andis thus protected from jars or shocks to which the casing may be sub-The casing I0 is provided with ing provided with a transparent covering;IQ of glass or the like, having a central opening through which extendsa shaft or spindle 20 (Figure 3)-, the outer end of which carries a knob2 I.

The supporting plate l2 has mounted thereon a dial plate 22 ofinsulating material. /The forward face of the dial plate has a series ofnumbers thereon, in this instance running from 1 to 20 and which aredisposed clockwise in a circle.

' That portion of the dial plate 22 bearing the numbers is visiblethrough the transpar mt window IS. The dial plate 22 also has mountedthereon a number of indicating lamps 23, one adjacent each indicatingnumber. As will be more fully explained later, each indicating numberand each lamp 23 represents one rocket launcher tube or rail of thebattery.

The spindle 20 also carries a pointer 24 (see Figures 1 and 3). Byturning the knob 2| the pointer can be made to point to any one of theindicating numbers and lamps 23 With further reference to Figures 1 and2, the casing l0 carries a socket 25 for the plug 26 firing cable 21which extends to the tubes or rails of the rocket launcher; anothersocket 28 for the plug 29 indicator lamp cable 30; a socket 3| for theplug 32 of the battery cable 33 and a socket 34 for the plug 35 of thecable 36 which leads to the firing push button 31. Moreover, a socket 38and a safety plug 39 are provided and attached to the latter is anindicating tag 40.

The casing II] also has mounted thereon a rheostattl, the operating knob42 of which protrudes from the front face of the casing. Also, thecasing carries a switch 43 with an operating lever 46. The switch 43 isa double pole throw a circular open-.

' bearing blocks 51, 58.

switch. The operating circuitconnecting these various mechanisms, andthe function each performs. will be later described.

The supporting plate l2 (see Figure 2)- also carries a small electricmotor 45 connected through gearing 46 and a flexible shaft 41- to a worm48 (Figures 5 and 6). Also supported by the plate l2 by means ofbrackets 49 is a time delay relay 5!].

With reference to Figure it will be noted that the supporting plate i2supports a, circular plate 5| of insulating'fiber or the like by meansof the spacers 52, 53. The circular plate 5! in turn supports anotherplate 54 by means of the spacers 55, 56. v

The spindleZfl is mounted for rotation in the The knob 21 and thepointer 24, as indicated, arerigidly secured to the spindle to rotatetherewith. This is also true of a detent whee1 59 and also a brushholder 60.

The circular plate 5| is provided with a central opening 6| throughwhich the spindle passes, The circular plate 5| carries an annularcontactor ring 62 and also a series of button contacts 63.

Mounted: loosely on the spindle 20 is a worm gear 64 which engages theworm 48. The worm 48 as previously explained is adapted to be'driven bythe motor 45 through the reduction gearing 46 and flexible shaft 41 (seeFigures 2, 5 and 6).

The spindle 20 has a threaded portion on which is mounted a free fittingnut 65. This nut 65 is rotated against the hub of the worm gear 64 bymeans of the torsion sprin 65. This spring 66 encircles the spindle andhas one end secured to the spindle and the other end to the free fittingnut 85.

It has been indicated that the device is capable of manual operation orautomatic operation. It is well to explain at this point that manualoperation involves turning the knob 2| thus moving the pointer and alsothe brush holder 60, while automatic operation is effected through themotor driven worm 48 and worm gear 64. The thread on the spindle is lefthand so that when the worm gear is being rotated by the mo tor in aclockwise direction, the friction against the nut draws it tight againstthe hub of the worm gear 64 and causes the spindle 20 to rotate.

However, when the control is set for manual operation and the motor isidle, the turning of the knob 21 in a clockwise direction loosens thenut 65 and permits the spindle 20 with its pointer 24 topoint to thedesired rocket number and indicator lamp on the dial and to turn thebrush holder 60 to cause the brush 6'! to bridge the contactor ring 62and any particular contact button 63. This, as will be explained, setsthe device forming the rocket in the particular tube or railcorresponding to the particular number. lamp and contact buttonselected.

The detent 59 is employed to maintain the spindle, pointer and brush onany set position until manually moved by the knob to a new position. Asseen in Figures 4 and 6, the detent has a' notched periphery, one notchfor each pointer and brush position. These notches are engaged by thespring urged roller 68. The roller 68 is carried by apiston 69 which ismounted for reciprocating movement in its longitudinal direction inbracket members 10 and ll. A

spring 12 surrounds the piston 69 and bears against the bracket H at oneend and against 4 a shoulder on the piston atithe other, thus urging thepiston and the roller into a notch. I The worm gear 64 is of two pieces64' and 64". One of these pieces 64" (Figures 3 and 6) is provided witharcuate slots 15 and the other piece 64' with pins 13 which engage inthe slots with a loose fit. There is thus provided a certain amount ofrotary play between the two. pieces comprising the worm gear. Thisenables the operator to give a slight contra-clockwise movement to theknob and bring the detent to its roller seat in case there should be aslight overrun of the pointer when setting for a particular number onthedial! If this were not so the operator would have to make a completerevolu tion of the knob because the knob can be turned only in aclockwise direction except for this slight play of the worm gear pieces64 and 64".

Figure '7 is a diagram of the firing circuit. The rocket launcher tubesor rails are schematically indicated by the reference numerals 14, 14a,14b; 14c, 14d, etc., there being one for each number and indicator lamp23 on the dial and one for each contact button 63 on the circularcontactor plate 5!. The firing of a rocket from a launcher tube or railis effected by making an electrical connection and for this purpose allof the rocket tubes or rails 14, 14a, 14b, etc., have one commonelectric line 15 and each a separate or individual line 16, 16a, 15b;160, etc. All of the lines from the rocket tubes or rails are enclosedin the cable 21 which terminates inthe plug 26 (see also Figures l and2) adapted for insertion in the socket 25 of the control device. Throughthis connection each individual line 16, 16a, 16b, 160, etc., isconnected, respectively, with a corresponding contact button 63 on thecontactor plate 5|. One such connection is shown in Figure 7.

The common line 15 in the control device extends to a line 11connectingthe battery 18 and ground, but this common line is providedwith the operator's firing push button switch 31 and may also be brokenby removing the safety plug 39 as previously mentioned,

The other part of the circuit is divided so as to provide for eithermanual or automatic operation. A line 19 extends from the contactor ring62 to the double pole throw switch 43 having terminals '80 and BI formanual operation 'and terminals 82 and 83 for automatic operation, Theline 19 continues from terminal 8| to the time delay relay and thencethrough a fuse '84 to the other side of the battery.

placed in each tube. When loading is done the safety plug and tag areremoved by the loader. This breaks the firing circuit and prevents anyaccidental firing during loading.

The automatic portion of the circuit includes a line extending from theterminal 83 of the double pole throw switch 43 and thence to the motor45 and finally through the resistance coil of rheostat 4i and throughthe fuse 84 to the battery. The current flowing to the motor isregulated by means of the rheostat 4|. The indicator lamp circuit isshown diagrammatica'lly in Figure 8. It includes a common line 86running from all the rocket tubes by cable 30 through plug 29, andsocket 28, through the battery 18, to a common terminal 81 for all theindicator lamps 23. Th circuit also includes in-- one of the individuallines 89, 89a, 89b, etc., the

contacts in each tube being positioned to contact an electricalconducting Part of the rocket such as the ground ring of the rocket, aportion of which ring is schematically shown by the arcuate linesimmediately below the tubes'" in Fig, 8. As long as a rocket is inagiven tube, the conducting portion of the rocket completes the circuitwhich includes common line 86 and the corresponding individual lines 89,89a, 89b, etc. The arrangement is such that each indicator lamp will belighted as long as its respective rocket has not been fired, but so thatfiring of a rocket will break that particular lamp circuit, thusindicating to the gunner that such laun'cher tube is empty.

The operation will now be described. With reference first to manualselective firing, anaming that the launcher tubes 14, 14a, 14b, etc.,are all loaded and the type of each rocket has been marked on the tag 40attached to safety plug 39 and the safety plug has been returned to itsposition as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lever 44 of the double polethrow switch 43 is moved to Selective.

The operator then turns the knob 2| until the pointer points to thenumber on the dial of the rocket to be fired. Movement of the knob andpointer also rotates the brush holder 60 and moves the brush 6! to theparticular contact button for that rocket. Assuming that that contactbutton 63 is the one shown in Figure 7, the firing is accomplished bydepressing the firing push button 31. This completes a circuit throughbattery 78, time delay mechanism 50, terminals 8| and 80 of the switch,contactor ring 62, brush 61, contact button 63, through socket 25 andplug 26 to the particular launcher tube 74, Ma, 14b, etc., and thenreturning through the common line 15, plug and socket, and back to thefiring push button 31.

The time delay relay 50 (any suitable type may be used) shortly operatesto break the circuit. Thus, even though the gunner continues to depressthe firing push button 31 no firing will occur if the pointer 24 isturned to another rocket number. The gunner must first release thefiring push button 31 before firing again.

For automatic firing, the lever 44 of the double pole throw switch 43 ismoved to Automatic" to bridge terminals 82 and 83. The rheostat 4| isthen adjusted to control motor speed. Preferably this should provide afour to one ratio so that automatic firing can be effected at intervalsranging from to 2 seconds.

The gunner then sets the pointer 24 for the number of the first socketto 'be fired and then depresses the firing push button 31. The motor 45,through reduction gearing 46 (Figures 2, 5 and 6) flexible cable 41,worm'48, worm gears 64, rotates spindle 20 thus rotating the brushholder 60 and brush 6'! in the manner herein described. Successivecircuits for firing successive rockets will proceed as long as thegunner keeps the firing push button 31 depressed.

' In place of the free fitting nut arrangement shown and described,various types of arrangements may be employed such as for example a pawland ratchet arrangement which would perinvention should not be limitedthereto as there might be changes made in the arrangement, dispositionand form of the parts without departv ing from the principle of thepresent invention as comprehended within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What we claim is: J g 1. A firing control for rocket. launchers and thelike comprising, an indicating means provided with locations eachindicating respectively one ot'a series of launcher tubes or rails, anindicating element movable to any of said locations, a first contactelement, a series of contact elements, there being one of said lattercontact elements for each launcher railand for each location on saidindicating means, a bridging member movable with said movable elementfor bridging said first contact element and any one of said seriesof,contact element, means for moving said movable indicating element andsaid bridging member, an electric circuit for connecting each launcherrail with one of said seriesof contact elementsv and all of saidlauncher tubes with said first contact element, a firing switch in saidcircuit, and a time delay mechanism in said circuit for temporarilybreaking the circuit after each actuation of said firing switch.

2. A firing control for rocket launchers and the like comprising, anindicating means provided with locations each indicating respectivelyone of a series of launcher tubes or rails, an indicating elementmovable to any of said locations, a first contact element, a series ofcontact elements, there being one of said latter contact elements foreach launcher rail and for each location on said indicating means, abridging member movable with said movable element for bridging saidfirst contact element and any One of said series of contact elements,means for moving said movable indicating element and said bridgingmember, an electric circuit for connecting each launcher rail with oneof said series of contact elements and all of said launcher tubes withsaid first contact element, a firing switch in said circuit, a-socketconnected in one line of said circuit, and a safety plug for insertionin said socket to complete the circuit when inserted,

, for each launcher rail and for each location on said indicating means,a bridging member movable with said movable element for bridging saidfirst contact element and any one of said series of contact elements,means for moving said movable indicatin'g element and said bridgingmember, an electric circuit containing one line common to each launchertube and said contact ele-. ment and a plurality of lines individualrespec-' tively to a launcher tube and one of said series of contactelements, a firing switch in'said common line, said means for movingsaid movable indicating element and said bridging member includingmanual and motor driven means, and

switch means in said circuit for selectively effecting circuitconnections for moving said bridging member either by said manual orsaid motor driven means. A firing control for rocket launchers and thelike comprising, a dial provided with locations said dial, a, contactorring, a series of contactor buttons, there being one of said buttons foreach launcher rail, a brush rotatable with said spindle and adapted tobridge said contactor ring and any one of said buttons, means forturning said spindle, an electric circuit containing one line common toeach launcher tube and to said contactor ring, a plurality of linesindividual respectively to a launcher tube and one of said buttons,

a firing switch in said common line, said means i for turning saidspindle comprising a knob for manual operation and motor means forautomatic operation, and a double pole switch in said circuit forselectively efiecting circuit connections for moving said brush eitherby said knob and said firing switch for individual firing, or by saidmotor means and said firing switch for automatic successive firing aslong as said firing switch remains closed.

launcher rail, a brush rotatable with said spindle and adapted to bridgesaid contactor ring and any one of said buttons, means for turning saidspindle, an electric circuit containing one line common to each launchertube and to said contactor ring, a plurality of lines individualrespectively to a launcher tube and one of said buttons, a firing switchin said common line, said means for turning said spindle comprising aknob for manual operation and motor means for automatic operation, adouble pole switch in said circuit for selectively effectingcircuitconnections for moving said brush either by said knob and saidfiring switch for individual firing, or by said motor means and saidfiring switch for automatic successive firing as long as said firingswitch remains closed, and means for drivlngly connecting said brush toturn with said spindle only when the spindle is rotated in onedirection.

6. A firing control device for rocket launchers and the like comprising,a casing having a dial window, a dial plate mounted within said casingto be viewed through said window, said dial being provided withlocations each representative respectively of one of a series oflauncher tubes or rails, a second plate supported rearwardly of said.dial plate, a third plate supported .rearwardly of said second plate, aspindle journaled in said dial and third plates and passing through anopening in said second plate, said spindle extending forwardly throughsaid window and provided on its forward end with an operating knob, apointer secured on said spindle and movable therewith to any of saidlocations on said dial, said second plate carrying a contactor ring anda series of contactor buttons, there being one of said buttons for eachlocation on said dial, a, brush holder secured to said spindle andcarrying a brush adapted to bridge said contactor ring and any one ofsaid buttons, an electric circuit containing one line connected withsaid contactor ring and adapted for common connection with all of saidlauncher tubes, and a plurality of lines individual respectively to saidbuttons and adapted for individual connection with each launcher tube,and

.ing forwardly through said window and provided on its forward end withan operating knob, a pointer secured on said spindle and movabletherewith to any of said locations on said dial, said second platecarrying a contactor ring and a series of contactor buttons, there beingone of said buttons for each location on said dial, a brush holdersecured to said spindle and carrying a brush adapted to bridge saidcontactor ring and any one of said buttons, and electrical means forconnecting said contactor ring to a common line leading to all of thelauncher tubes and for connecting each of said buttons respectively toone of the launcher tubes, said electrical means including a firingswitch. 1

8. A firing control device for rocket launchers and the like comprising,a casing having a dial window, a dial plate mounted within said casingto be viewed through said window, said dial being provided withlocations each representative respectively of one of a series oflauncher tubes or rails, a second plate supported rearwardly of saiddial plate, a third plate supported rearwardly of said second plate, aspindle journaled in said dial and third plates and passing through anopening in said second plate, said spindle extending forwardly throughsaid window and provided on its forward end with an operating knob, apointer secured on said spindle and movable therewith to any of saidlocations-on said dial, said second plate carrying a contactor ring anda series of contactor buttons, there being one of said buttons for eachlocation on said dial, a brush holder secured to said spindle andcarrying a brush adapted to bridge said contactor ring and any one ofsaid buttons, electrical means for connecting said contactor ring to acommon line leading to all of the launcher tubes and for connecting eachof said buttons respectively to one of the launcher tubes, saidelectrical means in. cluding a firing switch, a socket included in saidelectrical means and carried by said casing, a safety plug for saidsocket and adapted when removed to break the electrical connection, andindicating means carried by said plug for indicating the number and typeof each rocket loaded in a launcher tube.

9. A firing control device for rocket launchers and the like comprising,a casing having a dial window, a dial plate mounted within said casingtending forwardly through saidwindow and provided on its forward endwith an operating knob, a pointer secured on said spindle and movabletherew th to any of said locations on said dial, said second platecarrying a contactor ring and a series of contactor buttons, there beingone of said buttons for each-location on said dial, a brush holdersecured to said spindle and carrying a brush adapted to bridgesaidcontactor ring and any one of said buttons, a detent wheel secured tosaid spindle, said detent wheel having a notch for each location, and aspring urged member for entering one of said notches, and means forelectrically connecting said contactor ring and buttons with mechanismfor firing rockets loaded in said launcher tubes,

10. A firing control device for rocket launchers and the likecomprising, a casing'having a dial window, a dial plate mounted withinsaid casing to be viewed through said window, said dial being providedwith locations'each representative respectively of one of a series oflauncher tubes or rails, a second plate supported rearwardly of saiddial plate, a third plate supported rearwardly of said second plate, aspindle journaled in said dial and third plates and passing through anopening in said second plate, said spindle extending forwardly throughsaid window and provided on its forward end with an operating'knob, apointer secured on said spindle and movable therewith to any of saidlocations on said dial, said second plate carrying a contactor ring anda series of contactor buttons, there being one of said buttons for eachlocation on said dial, a brush holder secured to said spindle andcarrying a brush adapted to bridge said contactor ring and any one ofsaid buttons, a gear wheel mounted loosely on said spindle, an electricmotor carried by said casing and connected to rotate said gear wheel,and means operable when the motor drives in one direction for causingsaid gear wheel to rotate said spindle.

11. A firing control for rocket launchers and the like comprising, anindicating means provided with locations each indicating respectivelyone of a series of launcher tubes or rails, an indicating elementmovable to any of said locations, a first contact element, a series ofcontact elements, there being one of said latter contact elements foreach launcher rail and for each location on said indicating means, abridging member movable with said movable element for bridging saidfirst contact element and any one ofsaid series of contact elements,means for moving said movable indicating element and said bridgingmember, an electric circuit containing one line common to each launchertube and said contact element and a plurality of lines individualrespectively to a launcher tube and one of said series of contactelements, a firing switch in said common line, a lamp at each of saidlocations, and an electrical circuit connecting each lamp respectivelywith a launcher tube, said lastnamed circuit having means including anelectrically conducting portion of each rocket for breaking the circuitto each lamp respectively when the rocket from its correspondinglauncher tube is fired.

ALBERT L. LAMBERT.

WALTER H. DARDENNE.

REFERENCE S CITED The following references are of record inthe file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 775,986 France Oct. 22, 1934

